Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 23

I would like to apologize to myself for putting this post off until five ‘o clock yesterday morning. *facepalm* I hope against hope that there aren’t huge typos.

Previously on Le Morte D’Arthur: Merlin rescues Arthur from Pellinore using his magic! Merlin then proceeds to convince Arthur to take Pellinore into his service for…some reason. Because Pellinore has shown himself to be really trustworthy and responsible like that! Arthur’s sword is still broken.

Merlin and the king departed and went unto a hermit who was a good man and a great physician. The hermit searched all his wounds and gave him good salves. The king was there three days before his wounds were mended so he might ride, and afterwards he departed. And as they rode, Arthur said, ‘I have no sword.’

‘No matter,’ said Merlin. ‘Hereby is a sword that shall be yours, if I may.’

So they rode till they came to a lake, which was a fair water, and broad. And in the middle of the lake, Arthur was aware of an arm clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in that hand. [As you do.]

[Also, samite is a type of silk fabric.]

‘Lo,’ said Merlin. ‘Yonder is the sword that I spoke of.’ With that, they saw a damsel going upon the lake.

‘Who is that damsel?’ asked Arthur.

‘That is the Lady of the Lake,” said Merlin. ‘And within that lake is an island, and therein is as fair a place as any on earth. And this damsel will come to you, and then speak well to her so she will give you the sword.’ [Lmao Merlin’s telling him to ask politely] [Also, I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be ‘island.’ The actual word is ‘roche,’ meaning a rock, but it has several other meanings and one of them is ‘island.’ I thought that probably made the most sense in context.]

Then the damsel came unto Arthur and greeted him courteously, and he greeted her in return. ‘Damsel,’ said Arthur, ‘what sword is that that the arm holds above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword.’

‘Sir Arthur king,’ said the damsel, ‘that sword is mine. But if you will give me a gift when I ask it of you, you shall have it.’

‘By my faith,’ said Arthur, ‘I will give you whatever gift you ask of me.’

‘Well,’ said the damsel, ‘get into the barge and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you. I will ask for my gift when I see my time.’

So Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two trees, and so they went onto the ship. And when they came to the sword that the hand held, Arthur took it up by the handle and took it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water.

And so they came onto the land and rode forth, and then Arthur saw a rich pavilion. ‘What is that yonder pavilion?’

‘That is the pavilion of the knight who you last fought with, Sir Pellinore,’ said Merlin, ‘but he is out, he is not here. He had a conflict with a knight of yours named Egglame [“Egglame”] and they fought together, but at last Egglame fled, or else he would have died. [Behold, Pellinore, the perfect hire!] Pellinore has chased him all the way to Caerleon, and we shall meet with Pellinore soon along the highway.’

‘That is good,’ said Arthur. ‘Now that I have a sword, I will fight with him and be avenged on him.’ [Slow down, you bloodthirsty young man!]

‘Sir, you shall not,’ said Merlin. ‘The knight is weary from fighting and chasing, so you would have no worship if you fight with him. Also, he will not be lightly matched by any knight living. So therefore I council you to let him pass, for he shall do you good service in short time, and his sons will also after his days. Also, you shall see the day in a short time when you shall be right glad to give Pellinore your sister to wed.’ [ARTHUR NO DON’T LISTEN TO HIM] [Morgan and Pellinore’s marriage goes so horribly. Also, I had no idea Arthur and Merlin were involved in Morgan’s wedding! No wonder she hates them, lol.]

‘When I see him I will do as you advise,’ said Arthur.

Then Arthur looked at the sword, and liked it passing well. [Arthur is a magpie attracted to shiny, shiny things]

‘Which do you like better?’ asked Merlin. ‘The sword or the scabbard?’

‘I like the sword better,’ said Arthur. [Everyone does.]

‘You are the more unwise,’ said Merlin. ‘For the scabbard is worth ten of the swords. While you have the scabbard on you, you shall never lose any blood, be you ever so sore wounded. […Internal bleeding is still a thing though?? Merlin? I see a small flaw?!] Therefore always keep the scabbard with you.’

So they rode unto Caerleon, and along the way they met with Sir Pellinore, but Merlin had done such a craft that Pellinore did not see Arthur, and he passed by without any words. ‘I marvel,’ said Arthur, ‘that the knight would not speak.’

‘Sire,’ said Merlin, ‘he did not see you, for if he had seen you, you would not lightly depart.’ [What is WRONG with Pellinore—anyway.]

So they came to Caerleon, and his knights were passing glad. And when they heard of his adventures, they marveled that he would endanger his person alone. But they all said it was merry to be under such a chieftain who would go on adventures as other poor knights did. [aww]

Does anyone else ever get lowkey scared of their own creations, because I get lowkey scared of anything I do at five in the morning ever. Hopefully there aren’t typos!

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 22

Man, I cannot believe I’m on chapter 22. I also cannot believe that I am on chapter 22 and am NOWHERE NEAR FINISHING. NOT A BIT. NADA. I’m almost done with this section, though. Le Morte D’Arthur is separated into 21 ‘books’, in case you were wondering. 21 long sections. This is going to take forever, and I, for one, am extremely happy about this.

Oh! And I wanted to say that apparently, from the cursory research I did, Arthur’s sword breaking in the middle of a battle isn’t that unusual or unrealistic. My doubts were without reason. It is something that could potentially happen.

Anyway, previously on Le Morte D’Arthur: People from…Rome of all places want England to pay tribute to them, despite Rome being very embroiled in its own problems in King Arthur’s actual time.* Arthur goes out to deal with Pellinore, that knight who keeps fighting everyone, and he almost gets himself killed. Will Arthur be alright? Is Pellinore as much as much of a weirdo as he seems? Yeah, pretty much, whatever this book tries to tell you Will we ever find out what Merlin’s deal is? Find out in this installment!

(I lied. We will never know what Merlin’s deal is.)

*Does this make any sense at all, history nerds who know more about this time period than I do? From my knowledge, I’m pretty sure it makes no sense, but I always could be mistaken.

Then Merlin came and said, ‘knight, stay your hand. For if you slay that knight, you do this realm a great evil. [I changed the structure of this sentence quite a bit, but I’m not sure I can keep a similar sentence structure and keep it comprehensible. As a side note, does it ever blow your mind how much languages develop?] For this knight is a man of more worship than you know.’

‘Why? Who is he?’ asked the knight.

‘He is King Arthur.’

Then the knight would have slain him for fear of his wrath, and raised up his sword, but Merlin cast an enchantment on the knight so that he fell to the earth in a great sleep. [How is killing a king supposed to help get you out of trouble for fighting a king? I do not get the logic.] Then Merlin took up King Arthur and rode forth on the knight’s horse.

‘Alas,’ said Arthur. ‘What have you done, Merlin? Have you slain this good knight by your crafts? There lies not so worshipful a knight as he was. [ARE YOU SURE.] I had liefer than the stint of my land a year that he were alive. [Is he saying that he likes Pellinore more than taxes? Do I have my definitions right, because I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s saying. I don’t…I don’t know. I could be wrong.]

‘Do not worry,’ said Merlin, ‘for he is healthier than you. He is only asleep, and he will wake within three hours. I told you what a knight he was. Here you would have been slain if I had not been here. There is not a mightier knight than him; and he shall hereafter do you good service, and his name is Pellinore. [Wait. Do you think Arthur gets his habit of bringing somewhat…questionable people into the Round Table (‘Surely Mordred is just a sweet boy, right?’) from Merlin? Because I would never, ever hire this man, and I don’t know why Merlin wants to.] He shall have two sons that shall be passing good men. Except for one knight, they shall have no equal in prowess and good living. [My guess is that this one knight’s name starts with ‘Lance’ and ends with ‘lot’. That’s usually how this goes.] Their names shall be Percival of Wales and Lamorak of Wales, and he shall tell you the name of your own son, begotten of your sister, who shall be the destruction of all the realm.’ [I assume ‘he’ refers to Pellinore, but the way this is worded is so unclear. But I’m pretty sure this refers to Pellinore.

Does this statement ever become relevant later in the story? I don’t think it does? There’s a lot of stuff in this that’s thrown out there with no followup.]

In conclusion, Arthur needs both better standards for hiring people (I’m sorry Mordred and Agravaine I love you guys but), and he also needs a better mentor. Arthur needs a better mentor very much.

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 21

Previously on Le Morte D’Arthur: Griflet has been knighted and has gone out to stop the knight who has parked himself in front of a fountain in order to challenge random people to a fight. Unfortunately, Griflet has only gotten himself injured while trying to defeat him. Will Griflet be alright? Will diplomacy and sanity win the day? No. No it never will in this book Find out in this installment!

Then the knight saw Griflet lie so on the ground, and he alighted and was passing heavyhearted, for he thought he had slain him. [Who would have guessed that running at each other at top speed on horseback with spears was dangerous, am I right?] He unlaced Griflet’s helmet to give him air. And so with the fragment of the spear the knight set him on the horse and so betook him to God, and said that Griflet had a mighty heart, and if he might live, he would prove a passing good knight.

And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where great sorrow was made for him. [This author only knows one conjunction and that is ‘and so’] But through good physicians he was healed and saved.

Right so twelve knights came into the court, and they were aged men. They came from the emperor of Rome, and they asked of Arthur truage for this realm, or else the emperor would destroy him and his land. [I have a question. Why on earth does Arthur end up fighting the emperor of Rome? Like…that’s so ahistorical. And I know complaining about Arthuriana of all things being ahistorical is extremely silly, but this just kind of comes out of nowhere, but it’s in all these stories, and it’s weird.] [Also, ‘truage’ means ‘tribute.’] ‘Well,’ said King Arthur, ‘you are messengers. Therefore you may say what you will; or else you should die therefore. But this is mine answer. I owe the emperor no truage, nor none will I hold him, but on a fair field I shall give him my truage with a sharp spear or a sharp sword. And that shall not be long, by my father Uther Pendragon’s soul.’ [I like this quote? A lot?]

And therewith the messengers departed, passingly wroth, and King Arthur was as wroth as they were; for they came in an evil time, for the king was already passingly wroth because of the injury of Sir Griflet. [Firstly, yes, people like this ALWAYS come in the absolute worst time possible. That is extremely realistic. Secondly, how many times can we fit the word ‘wroth’ into a sentence?] And so he commanded a privy man of his chamber that before day, his best horse and armor, with all that belonged unto his person, should be outside the city before tomorrow. Right so, before the next day, he met with his man and his horse. And so he mounted up and took his shield and his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again.

Arthur rode at a slow pace till it was day, and then he saw three churls chasing Merlin who would have slain him. [Why does Merlin always get into weird situations like this?] Then the king rode unto them, and bade them, ‘flee, churls!’ Then they were afraid when they saw a knight, and they fled.

‘O Merlin,’ said Arthur. ‘Here, for all your crafts, you would have been slain had I not been here.’ [GUYS it’s me whenever my mom makes a mistake. It’s me. Although, obviously, my mom is a much, MUCH nicer person than Merlin. We stan my mom. We do not stan Merlin in this house.]

‘Nay,’ said Merlin. ‘Not so, for I could save myself and I would; and you are nearer your death than I am, for you go deathward and God be not your friend.’ [Way to turn the conversation to something depressing, Merlin. We all know you’re just upset that someone else saw you in an embarrassing situation.]

So as they went thus talking, they came to the fountain, and the rich pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was aware that an armed knight sat there in a chair. ‘Sir knight,’ said Arthur. ‘For what cause do you abide here that no knight may ride this way unless he jousts with you? I order you to leave that custom.’ [THANK YOU, Arthur.]

‘This custom,’ said the knight, ‘I have used and will use, despite whoever disagrees. And whoever is grieved with my custom, let him amend it who will.’

‘I will amend it,’ said Arthur.

‘I shall defend myself against you,’ said the knight. He armed himself and took his horse, his shield, and his spear, and they struck each other’s shields so hard that both of them splintered their spears. [I love how Arthur gets out his frustration at a potential upcoming war by just beating up some random jerk knight in the woods.] Then Arthur pulled out his sword.

‘Nay, not so,’ said the knight. ‘It is fairer that we both run together with sharp spears. [Okay, that’s nice that you want to be fair, random knight! But you know what’s better? NOT DOING THIS AT ALL.]

‘I would,’ said Arthur, ‘if I had any more spears.’

‘I have enough,’ said the knight. So there came a squire who brought in good spears, and Arthur chose one and the knight another. Then they spurred their horses and came together with all their might, so that both broke their spears in their hands. Arthur set hand on his sword.

‘Nay,’ said the knight. ‘You shall do better. You are as passing good a jouster as any I ever met, and once for the love of the high order of knighthood, let us joust once again.’ [For love of the high order of sanity, maybe not though?]

‘I assent,’ said Arthur. At once there were brought two great spears, and each knight took a spear, and therewith they ran together, and Arthur’s spear shattered. But the other knight hit him so hard in the middle of the shield that horse and man fell to the earth. [I feel like falling down while jousting would be really hard on the horse? Be nice to your horses, guys, we talked about this.] And then Arthur was eager and pulled out his sword, and said, ‘I will assay you, Sir Knight, on foot, for I have lost the honour on horseback.’ [is honor spelled with a ‘u’ or not]

‘I will be on horseback,’ said the knight.

Then Arthur was wroth and dressed his shield toward him with his sword drawn. [No, I do not know what it means to dress your shield toward someone. If you know, please tell me.] When the knight saw that, he alighted, for he thought it would be dishonourable to have a knight at such at such avail, for himself to be on horseback and the other knight on foot. [It’s nice that, even though he’s willing to pointlessly battle someone to the near-death over nothing, he’s still polite about it!]

So he alighted and dressed his shield unto Arthur, and there began a strong battle with many great strokes. And they so hewed with their swords that the cantels flew in the fields, and much blood they both bled, so that all the place there as they fought was overbled with blood, and thus they fought long, and then rested themselves. [Okay, so firstly, I think that a ‘cantel’ means the corners of a shield? Also, I love the over-the-top battles in these types of stories.] And then they went to battle again, and so hurtled together like two rams that either fell to the earth. So at the last, they smote together so both of their swords met even together. [smote] [no seriously why is this the most overused word in the book? I seriously wish I had kept count.] But the sword of the knight smote King Arthur’s sword into two pieces, wherefore he was heavyhearted. [Arthur’s equipment always gives out on him when he needs it the most. First his sword here, then later his helmet. The guy just has a lot of tough luck.] [Is medieval armor and weaponry giving out like this realistic at all? Just curious.]

Then said the knight unto Arthur, ‘you are in my power now whether I desire to save you or kill you, and unless you yield as overcome and recreant, you shall die.’

‘As for death,’ said King Arthur, ‘welcome be it when it comes, but I had rather die than to be so shamed as to yield unto you as defeated.’ [Arthur does kind of have a stubborn streak in this book, doesn’t he? I kind of like it.]

And then the king leapt unto Pellinore [OF COURSE THE WEIRDO IN THE WOODS WAS PELLINORE] and took him by the middle, threw him down, and pulled off his helmet. When the knight felt that, he was afraid, for he was a passing big man of might, and anon he brought Arthur under him, took off his helm, and would have smitten off his head.

Does anyone else kind of get imposter syndrome when it comes to blogging? I know my blog is really messy, but apparently people still read it and presumably enjoy it, and that makes me anxious. But I guess I should chill and learn to be okay with not being one hundred percent wonderful all the time. I don’t know, how do you deal with this?

But I hope at least one person finds this blog informative or entertaining, and I guess if I can do that, I’ve set out for what I wanted to do.

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 19

I’m not out of hiatus yet–I’ll be back by November–but I’m dropping another chapter of this in between studying.

Also, I just found out I have thirty followers now. o_o Thanks so much.

Right so came Ulfius, and he said, openly so that the king and all who feasted that day might hear, ‘you are the falsest lady in the world, and the most traitorous unto the king’s person.’ [Sorry, what? He’s saying this to Igraine now? God, I hate this guy.]

‘Beware,’ said Arthur, ‘what you say. You speak a great accusation.’ [Thank you, Arthur. Please shut him down fast, for the sake of my sanity.]

‘I am well aware,’ said Ulfius, ‘what I speak, and here is my glove to prove it upon any man who will say the contrary, that Queen Igraine is the cause of your great damage and of your great war. For if she had uttered in the life of King Uther Pendragon of your birth and how you were begotten, you would never have had the deadly wars that you have had. For the most part of your barons of your realm never knew whose son you were, nor of whom you were begotten, and she who bore you of her body should have made it openly known in excusing her worship and yours, and in likewise to all the realm. [Let’s give a round of applause for that impressive feat of mental gymnastics! …Did I mention I hate this guy?] Wherefore I prove her false to God and to you and all your realm; and whoever will say the contrary, I will prove it on his body.’

Then Igraine spoke and said, ‘I am a woman, and I may not fight, but rather than I should be dishonoured, there would some good man take my quarrel. Moreover,’ she said, ‘you and Merlin know well, Sir Ulfius, how King Uther came to me in the Castle of Tintagel in the likeness of my husband, who was dead three hours before, and how King Uther thereby begat a child that night upon me. And after the thirteenth day, King Uther wedded me, and by his commandment, when the child was born it was delivered unto Merlin and nourished by him. And so I never saw the child after, nor knew his name, for I never knew him. [YOU TELL HIM, Igraine. You’re awesome and we stan. Also, ouch Uther is horrible.]

‘And there,’ Ulfius said to the queen, ‘Merlin is more to blame than you.’ [Ha, so he backed down. An apology is in order, but she probably won’t get one.]

‘Well, I know that I bore a child by my lord King Uther,’ said the queen, ‘but I know not what has become of him.’

Then Merlin took the king by the hand, saying, ‘this is your mother.’ And therewith Sir Ector bore witness how he nourished him by Uther’s commandment. And therewith King Arthur took his mother Queen Igraine in his arms and kissed her, and they both wept. [This is so heartwarming, but Ulfius and Merlin are also horrifying and I’m not sure which emotion is stronger in me right now] And then the king let make a feast that lasted eight days.

Then one day there came into the court a squire on horseback, leading a knight before him wounded to the death, and he told them how there was a knight in the forest who had reared up a pavilion by a well. ‘He has slain my master, a good knight; his name was Miles,’ said the squire. ‘Wherefore I beseech you that my master may be buried, and that some knight may avenge my master’s death.’ [What is it with knights in these stories setting themselves up at random places and fighting all who pass through? Where do they get the time? I want their time.]

Then the noise was great of that knight’s death in the court, and every man said his advice. Then came Griflet, who was but a squire, and he was young, of the age of King Arthur. So he besought the king, for all his service that he had done him, to give the order of knighthood.

Here I am, ten days before the SAT and desperately in need of more time to study, and here these losers are, parked in front of some river or road or whatever and demanding to fight everyone who goes by. No, I’m not bitter, why do you ask?

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 18

You know that episode in that TV series you watch that has you wondering if the scriptwriters were high while writing it? Well, this section is that, but for books, and I am LOVING IT.

‘Sir knight,’ said the king, ‘leave that quest and suffer me to have it, and I will follow it another twelvemonth.’ [Because you’ll totally be able to fit that in with all of your other responsibilities! 😀 This is starting to feel like something I would do, oh no]

‘Ah, fool,’ said the knight unto Arthur, ‘your desire is in vain, for it shall never be achieved except by me or my next kin.’ [Wait, but Palomides wasn’t related to Pellinore that I know of and…Oh, never mind.] Therewith he started unto the king’s horse and mounted into the saddle, and said, ‘gramercy, this horse is mine own.’

‘Well,’ said the king, ‘you may take my horse by force, but I might prove whether you are better on horseback or I.’ [Arthur, this never ends well (at least not in real life)]

‘Well,’ said the knight, ‘seek me here when you will, and here by this well you shall find me.’ And so he passed on his way.

Then the king sat in thought and bade his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might. Right so came by him Merlin, like a child of fourteen years of age, and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so pensive. ‘I may well be pensive,’ said the king, ‘for I have seen the most marvelous sight that I have ever seen.’

‘That I know well,’ said Merlin, ‘as well as yourself and of all your thoughts. But you are a fool to take thought, for it will not amend you. Also I know what you are, and who your father was, and of whom you were begotten. King Uther Pendragon was your father, and begat you on Igraine.’ [Merlin, have you heard the phrase, ‘locking the barn after the horse is stolen?’ You should have told this to him years ago.]

‘That is false,’ said King Arthur. ‘How should you know it? You are not so old of years as to know my father.’

‘Yes,’ said Merlin. ‘I know it better than you or any man living.’

‘I will not believe you,’ said Arthur, and he was wroth with the child. So Merlin departed and came again in the likeness of an old man of fourscore years of age, whereof the king was right glad, for he seemed to be an upright man.

Then said the old man, ‘why are you so sad?’

‘I may well be heavy-hearted,’ said Arthur, ‘for many things. Also here was a child who told me many things that it seemed to me that he should not know, for he was not of an age to know my father.’

‘Yes,’ said the old man. ‘The child told you the truth, and more would he have told you if you would have suffered him. But you have done a thing of late that God is displeased with you, for you have lain with your sister, and on her you have gotten a child that shall destroy you and all the knights of your realm.’ [Aw, Mordred, my precious murder-child] [Also, WHOSE FAULT IS THIS, MERLIN. I ASK YOU.]

[Literally the only reason why I like Mordred is because I’m writing him, he is such a garbage fire, seriously] [But he’s a garbage fire we stan]

‘What are you,’ said Arthur, ‘that tells me these tidings?’

‘I am Merlin, and I was he in the child’s likeness.’

‘Ah,’ said King Arthur, ‘you are a marvelous man; but I marvel much at your words that I must die in battle.’ […That’s what you’re focusing on right now? That is a pretty awful thing to find out, I guess. But I still think it’s funny.]

[Arthur: I slept with my sister? ‘Kay, whatever. Wait, I’m going to die in battle?]

‘Marvel not,’ said Merlin, ‘for it is God’s will your body be punished for your foul deeds. But I may well be sorry, for I shall die a shameful death, to be put in the earth quick, and you shall die a worshipful death.’ And as they talked of this, someone came with the king’s horse, and so the king mounted on his horse and Merlin on another, and so they rode unto Caerleon. And anon the king asked Ector and Ulfius how he was begotten, and they told him Uther Pendragon was his father, and Queen Igraine was his mother.

Then he said to Merlin, ‘I will that my mother be sent for that I may speak with her. And if she says so herself, then will I believe it.’ [Yayy, Igraine is briefly back in the story, I’ve missed her] In all haste the queen was sent for, and she came and brought with her Morgan le Fey, her daughter, who was as fair a lady as any might be, and the king welcomed Igraine in the best manner.

Yay, I am (sort of) on schedule! A little late in the day, but no matter. That makes me unreasonably happy.

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 16

I managed to get this all done in an evening and a day, and I’m low-key impressed with myself but also low-key disgusted with my procrastination. But anyway.

And then King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors departed with their fellowship of twenty thousand, and came within six days to the country of Cameliard. And there they rescued King Leodegrance and slew there many people of King Rience, unto the number of ten thousand men, and put him to flight. And then these three kings had great cheer of King Leodegrance, who thanked them of their great goodness, that they would revenge him of his enemies; and there Arthur had the first sight of Guinevere, [Whoo! My girl!] and ever after he loved her. [Alright, that is so sad. So I guess Arthur always loved Guinevere, but she just didn’t return the feeling?][I refuse to blame her for the fall of Camelot, BTW. I don’t even really blame her that much for the adultery. She was stuck in an unhappy arranged marriage, in a society where divorce wasn’t an option. Instead of blaming her, can we please blame, oh IDK, Mordred? The one who actually took over Camelot?] Afterwards they were wedded, as it tells in the book.

So briefly to make an end, King Ban and Bors took their leave to go to their own countries, for King Claudas did great destruction on their lands. [I am still so confused as to how they were able to just leave in the middle of a war to help some kid, just because Merlin told them to.] ‘Then,’ said Arthur, ‘I will go with you.’

‘Nay,’ said the kings, ‘you shall not at this time, for you have still much to do in these lands. Therefore we will depart, and with the great goods we have gotten in these lands by your gifts, we shall reward good knights and withstand King Claudas’ malice, for by the grace of God, and we have need we will send to you for your succour. [I think…that last clause means they’ll send for Arthur if they need him, but I really have no idea? Sorry] And if you have need, send for us, and we will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies.’

‘It shall not be necessary for these two kings to come again in the way of war,’ said Merlin. But I know well that King Arthur may not be long from you, for within a year or two you shall have great need. And then he shall revenge you on your enemies as you have done on his. For these eleven kings shall die all in a day by the great might and prowess of arms of two valiant knights, as it telleth after; their names are Balin le Savage and Balan his brother, that be marvelous knights as be any living. [Did Balin and Balan really kill the eleven kings? I mean…Uriens was still alive later, wasn’t he? Or did I get that wrong?]

***

Now we turn to the eleven kings, who returned unto a city named Sorhaute, a city within King Urien’s domain, and there they refreshed themselves as well as they might, and made doctors examine their wounds, and sorrowed greatly for the death of their people. With that there came a messenger who told how there was come into their lands people who were lawless as well as Saracens, a forty thousand, who have burnt and slain all the people that they come by without mercy, and have laid siege to the castle of Wandesborow. [I repeat from last time: What are the Saracens doing attacking England? Did this ever happen?][I mean, the English certainly attacked the Saracens *raises eyebrows*]

‘Alas,’ said the eleven kings, ‘here is sorrow upon sorrow. And if we had not warred against Arthur as we have done, he would soon avenge us. [It really is just awful when the plot punishes you for not instantly agreeing with the hero, isn’t it?][I’m sorry XD] As for King Leodegrance, he loves Arthur better than us. As for King Rience, he has enough to do with Leodegrance, for he has laid siege unto him.’

So they consented together to keep all the lands of Cornwall, of Wales, and of the north; so first they put King Idres in the city of Nauntes in Britain, with four thousand men of arms, to watch both the water and the land. Also they put in the city of Windesan, King Nentres of Garlot with four thousand knights, to watch both the water and the land. Also they had other men of war, more than eight thousand, for to fortify all the fortresses in the land of Cornwall. Also they put more knights in all the marches of Wales and Scotland, with many good men of arms, and so they kept them together the space of three year, and ever allied themselves with mighty kings and dukes and lords. [Yay the list] And to them fell King Rience of North Wales, the which and Nero that was a mighty man of men. [What?] And all this while they furnished them and garnished them of good men of arms, and victual, and of all manner of habiliment that pretended to the war, to avenge them for the battle of Bedegraine, as it telleth in the book of adventures following.

I feel vaguely guilty for procrastinating so much with this. But oh well.

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 15

So, I mean, the battle scene, fun and all but…

OH THANK GOD IT’S GOING TO BE OVER. I COULD NOT TAKE FIVE MORE SECONDS OF PEOPLE SMOTING PEOPLE.

[So I will admit this battle scene is getting kind of looong] When Sir Arthur and King Ban and Bors beheld all their knights, they praised them much for their noble chivalry, and for the hardest fighters that they ever heard or saw.

With that, there dressed them a forty noble knights, and said unto the three kings, they would break their battle; these were their names: [noo the list] Lionses, Phariance, Ulfius, Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucan the butler, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Mariet de la Roche, Guinas de Bloi, Briant de la Forest Savage, Bellaus, Morians of the Castle of Maidens, Flannedrius of the Castle of Ladies, Annecians that was King Bors’ godson, a noble knight, Ladinas de la Rouse, Emerause, Caulas, Graciens le Castlein, one Blois de la Case, and Sir Colgrevaunce de Gorre; all these knights rode on afore with spears set against their thighs, and spurred their horses mightily as the horses might run. [So I totally copied and pasted the list this time from somewhere else rather than writing all that out.] And the eleven kings with a part of their knights rushed their horses as fast as they might with their spears, and both armies did marvelous deeds of arms.

So Arthur, Ban, and Bors came into the thick of the press and slew down right on both hands so that their horses went through blood up to the fetlocks. […gross] But the eleven kings and their host were ever in the sight of Arthur. And Ban and Bors had great marvel considering the great slaughter that there was, but at the last they were driven back over a little river.

With that came Merlin on a great black horse, and he said unto Arthur, ‘you are never finished! Have you not had enough? Of three score thousand, this day have you left alive but fifteen thousand, and it is time to say, ‘stop!’ For God is wroth that you will never be done, for the yonder eleven kings at this time will not be overthrown, but if you tarry them any longer, your fortune will turn and they shall grow stronger. And therefore withdraw unto your lodging and rest as soon as you may, and reward your good knights with gold and silver, for they have well deserved it. There may be no riches too dear for them, for of so few men as you have, never men did more of prowess than they have done today.’ [Merlin, I still hate your guts, obviously, but…thank you for ending this battle scene.]

‘That is true,’ said King Ban and Bors.

‘Also,’ said Merlin, ‘withdraw where you wish. For these three years I dare promise that they shall not harm you. And by then you shall hear new tidings. These eleven kings have more on their hands than they are aware of, for the Saracens have landed in their lands, more than forty thousand, that burn and slay, and they have laid siege to the castle Wandesborow and made great destruction. [Why…would the Saracens have been attacking a place in England…You know what, never mind.] Therefore dread you not these three years.

‘Also, Sire, all the goods that have been gotten at this battle, let them be searched. And when you have it in your hands, let it be given freely unto these two kings Ban and Bors, so they may reward their knights withal. And that shall cause strangers to be of better will to do your service at need. […And…and it’s the right thing to do? I give up, it’s Merlin] Also, you will be able to reward your own knights with your own goods whensoever you like.’

‘It is well said,’ quoth Arthur. ‘And as you have devised, so shall it be done.’ When the gifts were delivered to Ban and Bors, they gave the goods to their knights as freely as it was given to them.

Then Merlin took his leave of Arthur and of the two kings, and went to see his master Blaise, [whoa whoa whoa back up who is this guy] and so he departed and came to his master, who was passing glad of his coming. And there he told how Arthur and the two kings had fared at the great battle and how it was ended, and he told the names of every king and knight of worship who was there. And so Blaise wrote the battle word by word as Merlin told him, how it began and by whom, and in likewise how it was ended, and who had the worse. All the battles that were done in Arthur’s days, Merlin had his master Blaise write. Also he wrote down all the battles that every worthy knight of King Arthur’s court did. [All right, who is this mysterious Blaise? He just…No explanation, huh?]

After this Merlin departed from his master and came to King Arthur, who was in the castle of Bedegraine, one of the castles that stood in the forest of Sherwood. [Oh goodness, I’m not English, so I associate the forest of Sherwood so strongly with Robin Hood that sometimes I forget that it’s, you know, an actual place.] And Merlin was so disguised that King Arthur knew him not, for he was befurred in black sheep skins and a great pair of boots, and he had a bow and arrows, and he was dressed in a russet tunic. He brought wild geese in his hand and it was on the morn after Candelmas Day. ‘Sire,’ said Merlin unto the king. ‘Will you give me a gift?’

‘Why,’ said King Arthur, ‘should I give you a gift, churl?’ [Arthur! Be polite.]

‘Sire,’ said Merlin, ‘you were better to give me a gift that is not in your hand than to lose great riches, for here in the same place the great battle was, great treasure is hidden in the earth.’

‘Who told you so, churl?’ asked Arthur.

‘Merlin told me so,’ he said.

Then Ulfius and Brastias knew him well enough and smiled. [Ugh I forgot about these two and I couldn’t have been happier to do so] ‘Sire,’ said these two knights, ‘it is Merlin who speaks to you.’ [Have they had past experience of this guy pulling weird stuff like this?] Then King Arthur was greatly abashed and had marvel of Merlin, and so did King Ban and Bors, and so they had great disport of him.

So in the meanwhile there came a damsel, the daughter of an earl named Sanam, and her name was Lyonors. She was a passing fair damsel, and she came thither to do homage, as other lords did after the great battle. And King Arthur set his love greatly upon her, and so did she upon him, and the king slept with her and begat on her a child. [WHAT] His name was Borre, and he was later a good knight of the Round Table. [WHAT][MORDRED HAS AN OLDER (half) BROTHER][WHAT IS THIS.]

Then there came word that King Rience of Northern Wales had made great war on King Leodegrance of Cameliard, and King Arthur was wroth, for he loved Leodegrance well and hated Rience, for he was always against him. [apparently Cameliard would be either in Wales or Cornwall, I knew there was a reason why I kept thinking Guinevere was Welsh in this story]

So by ordinance of the three kings that were sent home unto Benoic, all they would depart for dread of King Claudas; and Phariance, and Antemes, and Gratian, and Lionses of Payarne, with the leaders of those that should keep the kings’ lands. [Do I know what this means? Not really.][But I guess King Ban and Bors are going off to fight King Claudas?]

I had to save a baby bird from our cat last night O_O Thankfully, I think he was all right, and we put him back up in a tree with his mom. He kept trying to jump out of my hand, and his yellow beak was so big 💙 Hopefully everything turned out all right! (Before you get worried, the thing about mother birds abandoning their babies if a human touches them is a apparently a myth. I was worried about it for a little while, but luckily, that isn’t true!)

Also, I had to literally shake the baby bird out of the cat’s mouth. My God, cats.

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 12

A part of me cannot believe that I am already on part twelve. I guess I’ve been doing this for longer than I thought.

Also, I really need to make myself a little banner rather than constantly using ~~~ to separate out sections. But on the other hand, I kind of like ~~~. But if I were to make myself a little banner, I’d like for it to be blue and have something to do with moths. I don’t know.

This introduction has literally nothing to do with the post, but then, when is my blog ever on topic? I’d like to think I make being off-topic a theme.

~~~

Then King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors, with their good and trusted knights, set on the eleven kings so fiercely that they made them overthrow their pavilions on their heads [no idea what that sentence means, but okay I’m probably just a bad reader][You know what, I won’t even going to try to decipher that one], but the eleven kings by manly prowess of arms took a fair champain, [I know that sounds like the drink, but it’s not, it means an open field or a battlefield, and I think they’re saying that they managed to get good terrain][Also, ‘manly prowess of arms’, my goodness this book] but there lay slain that morrow ten thousand good men. And so they had before them a strong passage yet were they fifty thousand hardy men. [Okay, so it’s clearly referring to Arthur’s men here (I think?), but I wish this book would start using people’s names more often rather than saying ‘them’. Because sometimes I legitimately do not have a clue as to who this book is referring to.]

Then it drew toward day. ‘Now you shall listen to my advice,’ said Merlin to the three kings. ‘King Ban and Bors, with their fellowship of ten thousand men, should be put in the wood beside here in an ambushment and stay there secretly, and they should go there before the light of the day comes. [I changed a few of the words + sentence structure to make it actually legible to me, as I usually do. Was that the correct definition for the words? I am pretty sure that was the correct definition for the words. #professional]  And they should not stir until you and your knights [Wait he’s talking to Arthur?] have fought with the eleven kings for a long while. And when it is daylight position your troops exactly before the northern host and the passage that they may see all your host. For then they will be more bold when they see about you but twenty thousand men, and they will be the gladder to suffer you and your host to come over the passage.’

The three kings and all the barons said that Merlin said passingly well, and it was done soon as Merlin devised. So on the morn, when both armies saw each other, the army of the north was well comforted. Then to Ulfius and Brastias were delivered three thousand men of arms [What does that mean], and they set on them fiercely in the passage and slew so many on the right hand and the left hand that it was a wonder to tell.

When the eleven kings saw that so small a fellowship did such great deeds of arms, they were ashamed and set on them fiercely again, and Sir Ulfius’ horse was slain under him, but he did marvelously well on foot. [Don’t care about Sir Ulfius, but the poor horse. RIP.] But the Duke Eustace of Cambenet and King Clariance of Northumberland were always grievous on Ulfius. [‘Grievous.’ I kind of like it and I’m too unimaginative to think up a modern equivalent. So I shall refrain from butchering the text for now.] Then Brastias saw his fellow fare so, and he smote the duke with a spear so that horse and man fell down. King Clariance saw that and returned the same unto Brastias, and both smote the other so that horse and man went down to the earth, and so they lay stunned for a long while, and the hard bones of their horses’ knees were broken. [RIP horses number two and three #thehorsesdeservedbetter #therealcasualtiesofthisbattle]

Then came Sir Kay the Seneschal with six fellows accompanying him, and they did passing well. [This was back when Kay was cool and not a useful plot device to make all the other young heroes look better by comparison, so back then he could actually win the occasional fight, you see.] With that the eleven kings came, and both Griflet and Lucan the butler were put to the earth, horse and man, by King Brandegoris, King Idres, and King Anguisant. [I hope I have consistent spelling on all these names, because each and every one of these characters’ names has like ten spellings. I am not entirely sure that I have consistent spelling on all these names.] Then waxed the battle passing hard on both parties.

When Sir Kay saw Griflet on foot, he rode unto King Nentres and smote him down, and led his horse unto Sir Griflet and horsed him again. Also Sir Kay with the same spear smote down King Lot and hurt him passing sore. [Wait, seriously? Kay took on King Lot and won? Maybe Kay just got old later on and that’s why he stopped winning fights.] The king with the Hundred Knights saw that and ran unto Sir Kay and smote him down and took his horse, and gave the horse to King Lot, whereof King Lot thanked him.

When Sir Griflet saw Sir Kay and Lucan the butler on foot, he took a sharp spear great and square [idk what that means, but whatever ‘square’ is, it’s not the shape so], and rode to Pinel, a good man of arms, and smote horse and man down. And then he took his horse and gave it to Sir Kay.

Then King Lot saw King Nentres on foot. He ran unto Melot de la Roche and [guess what they’re going to say] smote him down horse and man, [YOU GUESSED IT! It was really hard, wasn’t it?] and gave King Nentres the horse and horsed him again. Also the King of the Hundred Knights saw King Idres on foot and ran unto [*deep breath* Hoo boy, let’s see if I can spell this] Gwiniart de Bloi, and smote him down horse and man, and gave King Idres the horse and horsed him again; and King Lot smote down Clariance de la Forest Savage, and gave the horse unto Duke Eustace. [So, according to this book, medieval warfare is all about falling off your horse and then having to get back on a horse? Is that accurate to real life? It makes sense, though] And so when the eleven kings were horsed again, they drew together and said they would be avenged of the damage they had taken that day.

The meanwhile came in Sir Ector with an eager countenance, and found Ulfius and Brastias on foot, in great peril of death, that were foul defoiled under horse-feet. [I don’t know what that means, I’m not going to look up the words, that is the most perfect sentence ever and I will not spoil the joy with a meaning.] Then Arthur, like a lion, ran unto King Cradelment of North Wales and smote him through the left side so that the horse and the king fell down. And he took the horse by the reins and led him to Ulfius, and said, ‘have this horse, my old friend, for you have great need of it.’

‘Thank you,’ said Ulfius. Then King Arthur did so marvelously in arms that all men had wonder.

When the King with The Hundred Knights saw King Cradelment on foot, he ran unto Sir Ector who was well-horsed, Sir Kay’s father, […we knew that] and smote horse and man down and gave the horse to the king and horsed him again. [I’ll admit I legit thought King Cradelment had died. I guess he just got wounded?] [It’s just a flesh wound!] And when King Arthur saw the king ride on Sir Ector’s horse, he was wroth and smote the king on the helm with his sword, so a quarter of the helm and shield fell down, and the sword carved down onto the horse’s neck. [So much horsey violence smh the horses deserved none of this] And so the king and the horse fell down to the ground.

Then Sir Kay came unto Sir Morganore, seneschal to the King of the Hundred Knights and smote him down horse and man, and led the horse unto his father Sir Ector. Then Sir Ector ran unto a knight named Lardans and smote horse and man down, [This, ladies and gentlemen, is what you refer to as a crutch phrase] and led the horse to Sir Brastias, who had great need of a horse and was greatly defoiled. [Nope. Still not looking up what defoiled means.]

Brastias beheld Lucan the butler, who lay like a dead man under the horses’ feet, [I will assume ‘under the horses’ feet’ to be metaphorical or else he’d be needing better medical care than you could find at the time] and ever Sir Griflet did marvelously to rescue him, but there were always fourteen knights on Sir Lucan. So then Brastias smote one of them on the helm that it went to the teeth, [ow] and he rode to another and smote him so the arm flew into the field. [*has to physically restrain self from making the ‘flesh wound’ joke twice in one chapter*] Then he went to the third and smote him on the shoulder so his shoulder and arm flew into the field. [No] [No I won’t make the joke]

And when Griflet saw the rescue, he smote a knight on the temples so head and helm went to the earth. And Griflet took the horse of that knight and led him to Sir Lucan, and bade him mount the horse and avenge his hurts. For Brastias had slain a knight before and horsed Griflet. [I always find Griflet’s name so hilarious for some reason. I mean. Griflet. It’s just the way it sounds.]

~~~

And that was chapter twelve, and I kind of can’t believe I’ve come this far 🙂 I’m enjoying this book, a lot!

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, parts 10 and 11

In which Le Morte D’Arthur gets its Iliad moment! Not by having a fight scene, but by having a long list of everyone involved in the fight!

Okay, so in all fairness, this list is not nearly as long as the Iliad’s, but I HAD TRAUMATIC FLASHBACKS, OKAY? But you know what? There’s no Ulfius in this chapter. Le Morte D’Arthur, we’re still good.

Oh, and also someone had a vision and a few battle plans got made.

~~~

And so within a short time the three kings came to the Castle of Bedegraine, and found there a passing fair fellowship that was well-equipped, whereof they had great joy, and food they wanted none.

This was the cause of the northern host: they were reared for the insult and rebuke the six kings had at Caerleon. [I like how the book describes that. Like some seventeen-year-old insults them so they’re just going to go and GET TOGETHER AN ARMY.] And these six kings, by their means, gat unto them five other kings, and thus they began to gather their people.

And they swore that, for weal nor woe, they should not leave each other till they had destroyed Arthur, and then they made an oath. The first that began the oath was the Duke of Cambenet, and he said he would bring with him five thousand men of arms, the which were ready on horseback. [Of course we needed a long, drawn-out list. I thought I was free of this curse after I finished the Iliad.] Then swore King Brandegoris of Stranggore that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Then swore King Clariance of Northumberland that he would bring three thousand men of arms. Then swore the King of the Hundred Knights, who was a passing good man and young, that he would bring four thousand men of arms on horseback. [Okay, why does he have that nickname? That’s such a weird title to have. Like, they could have called him, ‘The King of the Four Thousand Men of Arms’ and it would have made about as much sense.][New theory: whoever came up with that did it just to annoy his scribe by giving him a long and hard name to write out.] Then swore King Lot, a passing good knight and Sir Gawain’s father [Gawain yay!], that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Urience, who was Sir Ywain’s father, of the land of Gore, that he would bring six thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Idres of Cornwall that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. [I SWEAR THE SIZE OF THIS BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN CUT IN HALF.] Also swore King Cradelmas to bring five thousand men on horseback. Also swore King Anguisant of Ireland to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. [Wait, is that like Iseult’s dad][You know what, I think it is!] Also swore King Nentres to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also swore King Carados to bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. [THE LIST IS FINALLY OVEER.]

So their whole host was of fifty thousand men of arms on horseback, and ten thousand men on foot. Then they were soon ready and mounted upon their horses, and they sent forth their scouts, for these eleven kings in their ways laid a siege upon the castle of Bedegraine. And so they departed and drew toward Arthur, and left few to abide at the siege, for the castle of Bedegraine belonged to King Arthur, and the men that were therein were Arthur’s. [‘Abide’ means something else in modern English, but Middle English Dictionary gives the meaning as ‘to delay; to tarry’. I guess? Is that the correct meaning in this context?]

~~~

So by Merlin’s advice they sent out scouts to patrol the countryside, and they met with the scouts of the north, and King Arthur’s scouts made them to tell which way the host came, and then they told it to Arthur. And King Ban and Bors counseled that they let burn and destroy all the country afore them where they should ride. [So, I guess they’re saying Arthur had a scorched earth policy? Probably? That’s what they’re saying, right?]

The King of the Hundred Knights had a wondrous dream two nights before the battle, that there blew a great wind and blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came a flood and bore it all away. All the kings that heard of the vision said it was a token of a great battle. […I cannot see how it could have been a clearer sign that they were going to lose. Do you need God to SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU OR SOMETHING.] Then by Merlin’s council, when they knew where the kings would ride and lodge that night, at midnight they set upon them as they were in their pavilions. But the guard for the northern host cried, ‘lords, at arms, for here be your enemies at your hand!’

~~~

Annnd that was the chapter! I love this book. :’-)

Le Morte D’Arthur, book 1, part 9

Yay I have another chapter! And this time, rather than focusing on my favorite characters Ulfius and Brastias, it focuses on my favorite character Merlin! /s

But seriously, it’s not that bad and there’s a cool tournament scene so *shrugs*

~~~

And King Arthur and the two kings let the 700 knights depart in two parties. And the three hundred knights of the realm of Benoic and Gaul turned on the other side. [The other side of what, Malory? I assume he means the other side of the field?] Then the many good knights took up their shields and lowered their spears.

So Griflet was the first that met with a knight, one Ladinas, and they met so eagerly that all men had wonder. And they so fought that both their shields fell to pieces, and horse and man fell to the earth. [Poor horses.] And both the French knight and the English knight lied there so long that all the men thought they were dead. When Lucan the butler saw Griflet lying there, he horsed him again and they did many marvelous deeds of arms with many knights.

Also Sir Kay came out of an ambushment with five knights with him, and the six knights smote six others down. [Why is my spellcheck saying ‘ambushment’ is not a word? Ha. Merriam-Webster says it’s a word. So there, computer.] And Sir Kay did that day marvelous deeds of arms, and no one did so well as he that day.

Then there came Ladinas and Gracian, two knights of France, and they did passing well and all men praised them.

Then Sir Placidas, a good knight, came and met with Sir Kay, and smote him down horse and man, wherefore Sir Griflet was wroth and met with Sir Placidas so hard that horse and man fell to the earth. [What’s with all the horses falling down in this scene? Were tournaments really that hard on horses or is this exaggerated for dramatic effect?] But when the five knights found that Sir Kay had fallen, they were wroth out of wit. And therewith each of them bore down a knight.

When King Arthur and the two kings saw them begin to wax wroth on both sides, they leapt on small hackneys and cried that all men should depart unto their lodging. [That’s interesting. I feel like some sports games would benefit from people doing this sometimes.] And so they went home and unarmed themselves, and went to vespers and supper. And afterwards, the three kings went into a garden and gave the prize to Sir Kay, Lucan the butler, and Sir Griflet.

And then they went unto council, and with went them Gwenbaus, the brother of Ban and Bors and a wise clerk, and thither went Ulfius and Brastias and Merlin. [‘Clerk’ either means ‘cleric’ or ‘scholar’, I think? It’s probably ‘scholar’?] And after they had been in council, they went to bed. […What was the point of saying they went to council if you’re just going to say ‘they went to council and then they went to bed, the end’?] [Okay, okay, it’s not like I can write any better] And on the morn, they heard mass and went to dinner, and so to their council, and they made many arguments as to what would be best to do. At last they concluded that Merlin should go with a token of King Ban’s, a ring, and go unto King Ban and Bor’s men. And Gracian and Placidas should go with him and protect the kings’ castles and the country, as the kings had ordered them for dread of King Claudas. And so they passed the sea and came to Benoic.

And when the people saw King Ban’s ring and Gracian and Placidas, they were glad and asked how the kings fared, and they made great joy of their welfare and cording. [Whatever cording means. Because I can’t figure it out. I read a few definitions, but I’m not sure which one is the right one in this context. >_<] And according to the sovereign lords’ desire, the men of war made them ready as quickly as possible, so that they were fifteen thousand on horse and foot. And they had plenty of food with them, by Merlin’s provision. But Gracian and Placidas were left to ready the castles for war, for dread of King Claudas.

Merlin passed the sea, well-victualled by both water and land. And when he came to the sea, he sent home the infantry and took no more with him but ten thousand men on horseback, the most part men of arms, and so they set sail and passed over the sea into England. [Okay, but you’re still taking away a large fighting force from the country when they are at war, Merlin? I don’t understand how this is going to work well for them?] And they landed at Dover, and through the wit of Merlin, he had the host northward the priviest way that could be thought unto the forest of Bedegraine, and there in a valley he lodged them secretly.

Then Merlin rode unto Arthur and the two kings and told him how he had fared, whereof they had great marvel that any man on earth might come and go so quickly. Then Merlin told them ten thousand men were in the forest of Bedegraine, and they were well-armed. Then no more was said, but to horseback went all the host that Arthur had brought together before. So with twenty thousand men he passed by night and day, but Merlin made an ordinance that no man of war should ride or go in the country on this side of Trent water unless he had a token from King Arthur, so the king’s enemies did not dare to ride as they did before to spy. [What is Trent water? I looked it up and all I could find was some company.]

~~~

I honestly don’t know how or why Ulfius managed to get under my skin more than Merlin, but I think he does? I’m unsure how that happened. I hate both of them, though, seriously. But I guess these scenes focusing on them are plot-important, etc. (But seriously Malory, can we get back to Arthur now? 🙂 )